Studio ZHU Renovation

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Studio ZHU Renovation

Firm

Studio WY

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Concept

SIZE

5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft

BUDGET

$50K - 100K

Situated in the historic village of Fujian, Club ZHU is a renovation project that repurposes a four-story "rural modern Chinese village building" into a boutique guesthouse. The client approached us for a design solution that would diminish the building's towering presence, mitigate its direct visibility with neighboring edifices, and deepen its visual and spatial connection with his private garden, all while minimally disrupting the existing structure.

To achieve this, the base area of the building was extended, transforming it from a vertically oriented structure to a horizontally oriented one that better fit the surrounding urban context. The building's height was also lowered to create a more cohesive integration with its environment.

In homage to local dwelling traditions, new roof elements were incorporated, inspired by traditional local housing. By studying the typical types of local housing over hundreds of years, the design team aimed to create an "ideal" form for the site that would complement its natural surroundings. The balance between modern architectural materials and traditional forms was carefully considered, resulting in a building that pays tribute to local history and culture.

The design approach seamlessly integrated traditional design elements with modern construction techniques to achieve a unique balance between old and new. The final result was a visually stunning building that was in harmony with its surroundings, and a testament to the successful blending of tradition and modernity.